The accident happened around 23:00 on Tuesday night, when a shift change was taking place inside the control tower, meaning there were more people inside than usual. The ship's owner, Stefano Messina, arrived at the port soon after the crash.

The collision toppled the control tower

He told journalists: "We are all utterly shocked. Nothing like this has ever happened before, we are desperate," reported the BBC.

The cause of the crash is not yet clear, but will be investigated by Genoa's prosecutor, Corriere Della Sera said, adding that the captain was being questioned.

Luigi Merlo, the president of the Genoa port authority told the Associated Press: "This event is unbelievable because we had the best weather navigation conditions."

Jolly Nero accident

Jolly Nero accident

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Rescuers carry away a body after the cargo ship Jolly Nero crashed into the control tower of the port of Genoa, northern Italy, killing at least three people, Tuesday, May 7, 2013. A half-dozen people remain unaccounted for early Wednesday, after a cargo ship identified as the Jolly Nero of the Ignazio Messina & C. SpA Italian shipping line, slammed into the port. (AP Photo/Marco Balostro)